MACC keeping an eye on govt bodies for money leaks

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is keeping watch on government bodies for money leaks.

Its deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki said such leakages need to be plugged, so that people can benefit fully from government spending.

He said such losses are still prevalent in ministries and government departments, adding that most cases involve wastages and discrepancies in procurements, and that they were investigating such cases.

He cited a case where a ministry “lost” 40% of its funds due to leakages.

“We will submit our findings to the ministry for them to plug the leakages. If there are any criminal elements, we will present it to the deputy public prosecutor to decide.

“One thing for sure is that we will not hesitate to act against those found responsible for causing the losses and leakages,” Azam said at the Rural and Regional Ministry’s corruption-free pledge event.

The ministry’s staff made the pledge, led by their secretary-general Datuk Borhan Dollah.

Also present was Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

On investigations into the Penang undersea tunnel project, Azam said investigators have engaged engineering experts to help in the probe.